Bio of Archduke Nikolaus von Habsburg-Lothringen (Updated Oct 2011)
Nikolaus Franz Joseph Karl Heinrich von Habsburg-Lothringen was born on Prince Edward Island, son of Archduke Hugo Karl Maria Leo Fidelis von Habsburg-Lothringen, and Maria Theresa Prinzessin von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. He is the oldest of two children, having a sister Archduchess Erika Alexandra Adelheid Zita Theresa von Habsburg-Lothringen.
He holds the titles Archduke of Austria, Prinz of Hungary and Bohemia, Prinz von Preußen, Baron of Bourbon-Parma (Italy), Count von Ruppin (Germany). He is 239th in line to the Austro-Hungarian throne, 288th in line for the Preußen throne and 2843rd in line to the British throne. The correct form of address is: His Imperial and Royal Highness.
He attended University and holds a LL,D (Maritime and Admiralty Law) and a PhD (International Relations)
He is a widower, married to Donata Viktoria Prinzessin von Preußen who died of Huntington's Disease in 2006. They had one child, a daughter, Prinzessin Vasha Katharina Adelheid Zita Maria von habsburg-Lothringen. The Archduke and his daughter were devastated by her death.
The Archduke is rumored to be semi-retired as CEO and Chairman of the Board of von Habsburg & Cie, a Amsterdam, Netherlands private Bank and Hedge Fund, His company has prospered and grown in the recent economic and financial depression. As his company is privately held, and does not take cash deposits for interest and investment, it answers to no government agencies and therefore is not required to file yearly financial reports. He reportedly maintained two offices, one lavish and luxurious, the other stark and austere, using each as needed to meet clients who had firm opinions on the show of wealth and power.
Like his parents and younger sister the Archduke eschews his titles, and remains distant from the European von Habsburgs. A notable quote of his concerning his titles: “An Archduke of nothing is… nothing. There is no more Austro-Hungarian or German Empire, so we should all act accordingly and get on with life.” Yet his Imperial blood and title doggedly follow him. Socially, the Archduke appears to attend only charity events either stag or in the company of his daughter. However at 52 he is considered an eligible widower bachelor. He is often called upon to attend charity functions and speaking engagements as an Archduke of Austria.
His interests are Thoroughbred racehorses, fencing, sailing and rotor craft flying. Following family tradition, the Archduke has at least three pure-breed, German line, Rottweilers. He regularly attends the Opera, the Symphony, and the Ballet. He is a patron of the arts. His charitable interest are women’s and children’s welfare, animals rights and homelessness.
Charming, educated, well mannered and gracious, he is considered by many, including his business opponents, as the epitome of a Royal Presence. In business, he is shrewd and a hardball player, yet never displaying loud emotions such as anger and always the gentleman. As a salesman and public relations man he is par none.
The Archduke maintains homes in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Shanghai China, Hilo Hawaii, and Charleston South Carolina. His personal vehicle is a 2002 Volvo Estate Wagon, though he is most often chauffeured in a company Lincoln Town Car. The company maintains a Hawker-Siddeley 125 for his personal use.
The Archduke favors bespoke three piece tweed suits in winter, and Italian double-breasted suits in the summer. He smokes Hoyo de Monterrey petite corona cigars, has his own blend of cigarettes which he never smokes in public, drinks Red Breast Irish whiskey, prefers Perrier-Jouet champagne, European food with appropriate wines, and classical music. The Archduke is reportedly an avid reader, preferring classics. He is fluent in Mandarin, German, French, English and Brazilian Portuguese.
David Hersh is a freelance journalist and avid royal watcher.
Photo credit Google.